Annual report pursuant to Section 13 and 15(d)

Income Taxes (Details)

v3.5.0.2
Income Taxes (Details)
$ / shares in Units, ¥ in Millions, $ in Millions
 12 Months Ended
Sep. 25, 2016
USD ($)
$ / shares
Sep. 27, 2015
CNY (¥)
Sep. 27, 2015
USD ($)
$ / shares
Sep. 28, 2014
USD ($)
$ / shares
Current provision (benefit):        
Federal $ 4   $ (67) $ 172
State 4   4 10
Foreign 1,411   1,307 1,116
Current Income tax provision 1,419   1,244 1,298
Deferred (benefit) provision:        
Federal (184)   (9) (30)
State 6   1 (10)
Foreign (110)   (17) (14)
Deferred Income Tax (benefit) (288)   (25) (54)
Income Tax provision 1,131   1,219 1,244
Components of income from continuing operations before income taxes        
United States 3,032   2,993 3,213
Foreign 3,801   3,494 5,565
Income from continuing operations before income taxes 6,833   6,487 8,778
Effective Income Tax Rate Reconciliation, Amount [Abstract]        
Expected income tax provision at federal statutory tax rate 2,392   2,270 3,072
State income tax provision, net of federal benefit 19   18 24
Foreign income taxed at other than U.S. rates (1,068)   (937) (1,750)
Research and development tax credits (143)   (148) (61)
Worthless stock deduction of domestic subsidiary (101)   0 0
Other 32   16 (41)
Income Tax provision 1,131   1,219 1,244
Tax benefit as a result of R&D tax credit reinstatement related to prior years $ 79   101  
Resolution of governmental investigation, Amount   ¥ 6,088 975  
Tax benefit as a result of a favorable tax audit settlement with Internal Revenue Service     61  
Income Tax Holiday [Abstract]        
Income Tax Holiday, Description The Company’s QCT segment’s non-United States headquarters is located in Singapore. The Company has obtained tax incentives in Singapore that commenced in March 2012, which are effective through March 2027, that result in a tax exemption for the first five years provided that the Company meets specified employment and investment criteria. The Company’s Singapore tax rate will increase in fiscal 2017 and again in fiscal 2027 as a result of the expiration of these incentives.      
Additional income tax expense $ 487   $ 656 $ 690
Reduction to diluted earnings per share | $ / shares $ 0.32   $ 0.40 $ 0.40
Deferred Tax Liability Not Recognized, Undistributed Earnings of Foreign Subsidiaries [Abstract]        
Unrecognized deferred tax liability related to undistributed earnings of certain non-U.S. subsidiaries $ 11,500      
Undistributed earnings of certain non-United States subsidiaries 32,500      
Deferred Tax Assets        
Unused tax credits 1,256   $ 897  
Unearned revenues 920   1,029  
Unrealized losses on marketable securities 493   441  
Accrued liabilities and reserves 409   317  
Share-based compensation 277   331  
Unused net operating losses 218   265  
Other 107   95  
Total gross deferred tax assets 3,680   3,375  
Valuation allowance (754)   (635)  
Total net deferred tax assets 2,926   2,740  
Deferred Tax Liabilities        
Intangible assets (502)   (548)  
Unrealized gains on marketable securities (430)   (273)  
Other (133)   (105)  
Total deferred tax liabilities (1,065)   (926)  
Net deferred tax assets 1,861   1,814  
Reported as:        
Current deferred tax assets 0   635  
Non-current deferred tax assets 2,030   1,453  
Current deferred tax liabilities (1) [1] 0   (4)  
Non-current deferred tax liabilities (1) [1] (169)   (270)  
Net deferred tax assets 1,861   1,814  
Changes in the amount of unrecognized tax benefits: [Roll Forward]        
Beginning balance of unrecognized tax benefits 40   87 $ 221
Additions based on prior year tax positions 20   31 1
Reductions for prior year tax positions and lapse in statute of limitations (6)   (70) (67)
Additions for current year tax positions 218   5 5
Settlements with taxing authorities (1)   (13) (73)
Ending balance of unrecognized tax benefits 271   40 87
Unrecognized Tax Benefits that Would Impact Effective Tax Rate 191      
Income Taxes Paid, Net [Abstract]        
Cash paid for income taxes 1,300   $ 1,200 $ 1,200
Internal Revenue Service (IRS) [Member]        
Components of Deferred Tax Assets [Abstract]        
Operating Loss Carryforwards 267      
Unused Income Tax Credits $ 595      
Internal Revenue Service (IRS) [Member] | Earliest Tax Year [Member]        
Income Taxes [Line Items]        
Tax Credit Carryforward, Expiration Date Sep. 28, 2025      
Components of Deferred Tax Assets [Abstract]        
Operating Loss Carryforwards, Expiration Date Sep. 26, 2021      
Internal Revenue Service (IRS) [Member] | Latest Tax Year [Member]        
Income Taxes [Line Items]        
Tax Credit Carryforward, Expiration Date Sep. 28, 2036      
Components of Deferred Tax Assets [Abstract]        
Operating Loss Carryforwards, Expiration Date Sep. 24, 2034      
State and Local Jurisdiction [Member]        
Components of Deferred Tax Assets [Abstract]        
Operating Loss Carryforwards $ 892      
Unused Income Tax Credits 637      
State tax credit, Valuation allowance 627      
Operating losses, Valuation allowance $ 33      
State and Local Jurisdiction [Member] | Indefinite [Member]        
Components of Deferred Tax Assets [Abstract]        
Tax Credit Carry Forward, Expiration Date Indefinite      
State and Local Jurisdiction [Member] | Earliest Tax Year [Member]        
Components of Deferred Tax Assets [Abstract]        
Operating Loss Carryforwards, Expiration Date Sep. 24, 2017      
State and Local Jurisdiction [Member] | Latest Tax Year [Member]        
Components of Deferred Tax Assets [Abstract]        
Operating Loss Carryforwards, Expiration Date Sep. 28, 2036      
Foreign Tax Authority [Member]        
Deferred Tax Assets        
Valuation allowance $ (94)      
Components of Deferred Tax Assets [Abstract]        
Operating Loss Carryforwards 287      
Unused Income Tax Credits $ 24      
Foreign Tax Authority [Member] | Earliest Tax Year [Member]        
Income Taxes [Line Items]        
Tax Credit Carryforward, Expiration Date Sep. 25, 2033      
Components of Deferred Tax Assets [Abstract]        
Operating Loss Carryforwards, Expiration Date Sep. 29, 2019      
Foreign Tax Authority [Member] | Latest Tax Year [Member]        
Income Taxes [Line Items]        
Tax Credit Carryforward, Expiration Date Sep. 28, 2036      
Components of Deferred Tax Assets [Abstract]        
Operating Loss Carryforwards, Expiration Date Sep. 28, 2025      
[1] Current deferred tax liabilities and non-current deferred tax liabilities were included in other current liabilities and other liabilities, respectively, in the consolidated balance sheets.